Detecting and quantifying gaseous leaks and emissions is a critical aspect of environmental monitoring, pipeline integrity, worker safety, product recovery, operational efficiency, regulatory compliance and climate change mitigation efforts.

Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) helps clients research and develop emission sensing technology for the detection and mitigation of greenhouse gas leaks across several industries. Our Fluids Engineering Department offers world-class facilities and flow loops for the evaluation of sensing technologies that have included fixed, handheld and mobile monitoring systems with qualitative, quantitative, and/or leak localization capabilities.

Emissions Monitoring & Detection Research

SwRI supports industry in development of emissions monitoring and detection technologies. We offer extensive experience conducting customized laboratory and field test programs to evaluate performance of a wide variety of gas-sensing technologies.

SwRI has a wealth of experience, facilities and equipment to help our customers.

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SwRI’s pilot-scale flare testing system using hood extraction technique to capture flared gas plume for analysis of combustion species.

• Validation of sensing technologies for a variety of gases, highlighting the lower limit of detection.
• Unbiased third-party testing of competitive sensing products for specification and performance, and end-user applications.
• Custom test protocols for technologies in early-stage development.
• Controlled release testing at SwRI facilities that offer a unique combination of field-representativeness and highly accurate controls and data collection.
• Customer (field) site-controlled release testing using a SwRI-developed and operated Leak Control System (LCS).
• Custom experimental test system development and operation for evaluation of emissions control devices (e.g., burners, flares).
• Remote sensing and leak detection analytics, machine learning, and artificial intelligence technologies.

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Methane Detectors Challenge

SwRI researchers are evaluating a new generation of low-cost sensors to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.

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Facilities & Laboratories

SwRI offers a variety of unique facilities and equipment to support any emissions or leak detection application:

• Environmental test chambers to simulate a wide range of temperature, humidity, and interfering gas conditions to evaluate impacts on sensor performance.
• Universal Synthetic Gas Reactors (USGRs) capable of highly accurate control of temperature, humidity, and metering of up to 13 different gases for transient and static testing of sensors.
• A mobile, highly configurable Leak Control System (LCS) designed for highly accurate controlled release studies. The LCS has been used at customer field sites as well as on SwRI’s campus.
• A Meter Research Facility that flows pressurized natural gas through various flow components to simulate actual field conditions. The facility is uniquely suited for performing controlled release studies and custom test programs.
• A wide variety of emissions diagnostic instrumentation and analyzers, including but not limited to GC, NDIR, FTIR, and infrared cameras.

Quad-O Regulations & Compliance

SwRI has been an independent third-party evaluator of sensing technologies for entities pursuing regulatory approval, such as the EPA’s Alternative Test Method for Methane Detection Technology under the New Source Performance Standards and Emission Guidelines for Oil and Natural Gas Operations (NSPS, referred to as “Quad-O” b and c). We support clients with evaluation and development of technologies relevant to Quad-O regulations.

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Flare Gas Methane Mitigation

Advanced new flare burner eliminates 98% of methane vented during oil production.

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Flare Gas Emissions

In addition to sensor evaluation, SwRI has supported multiple federal initiatives to mitigate greenhouse gases, including development and operation of a pilot-scale flare gas emissions testing system to evaluate combustion and destruction efficiencies of novel flare technologies. SwRI has also developed custom test programs to evaluate combustion efficiency of novel industrial burners.

Related Services

• Flow Measurement Services
• Gas Pipeline Leak Detection Services
• Metering Research Facility
• Methane Leak Detection